Match-box.



PATENTED JULY 26, 1904.

R. PARKHOUSE.

MATCH BOX.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 14, 1 904.

H0 MODEL.

ginpznfoz Baiisom/ arkiwuse auto-4mm fim e? UNITED STATES Patented July26, 1904.

RANSOM PARKHOUSE, OF MERLEBEACH, MICHIGAN.

MATCH-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 765,853, dated July 26,1904.

Application filed May 14, 1904. Serial No. 208,015- (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, RANsoM PARKHOUSE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Merlebeach, in the county of Clinton and 'State of Michigan,have invented new and useful Improvements in Match-Boxes, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention has relation to improvements in match-boxes; and itconsists in the construction and arrangement of parts as will behereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

The match-box may be made of metal, wood, rubber, composition, or anyother material suitable for the purpose.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of myimproved match box. Fig. 2 represents a central section thereof on theline a a of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a crosssectional view on the line b b ofFig. 2. Fig. 1 illustrates a modification.

Similar numerals of reference indicate the same parts in the severalfigures.

The box (indicated by 1) is of rectangula form and slight width onlysufficient to easily hold one row of matches. A hinged cover 2 closesthe top of the box. The bottom 3 is provided with a serrated surface 4,on which matches are ignited. The rear end is provided with a wall 5 ofthe match-box is closed and preferably rounded, while its front end isprovided with a wall 6, which is secured some little distance within andbetween the side walls of the box to form a recess 6, and said wall 6 atits lower end is provided with an opening 7 large enough to permit ofthe passage therethrough of one match-head. Fastened to the front wall 6and mounted within the recess 6' near the cover 2 is a flat spring 8,its free end projecting a short distance above the lower portion of theopening 7 to prevent the escape of matches from the box. The spring 8,as shown in Fig. 1, also extends over the opening 7 about one-third thelength of said opening or far enough to bear against the stem of thematch when partly ejected and hold it in such position.

9 indicates a slide mounted on the bottom of the match-box, its rear endhaving an upwardly-extended projection at 10, which is bent at rightangles with the slide to form an abutment for ejecting a match. Theslide is about one-half the length of the match-box, and is provided onopposite side edges of their base portions next the bottom of the boxwith extensions 11, which project through slots 12, made in the sides ofthe match-box. The slide 9 is normally in the position indicated in Fig.2that is, at the rear end of the match-boxwith its upwardly-projectingend 10 behind the stem of the lowest match. If the slide be movedforward by grasping the projections 11 with the thumb and a finger, amatch will be forced out of the box through the opening 7, the headofthe match as it passes through said opening will press on the spring 8,bending it forwardly until the head escapes therefrom, when it willspring back and engage the match-stem and hold it from dropping out orreturning to the box. After the slide has moved to its fullest extentthe match is withdrawn from the box by hand.

Fig. 1 represents a modified arrangement of my invention for use inhotels, cigar stores, and other places where a large number of matchesare used. The box or match-receptacle 15 is in this case enlarged at itsupper end to hold a large number of matches, the bottom 16 of whichinclines downwardly to lead the matches to the narrow lower portion 17which contains the slide 9, with its projections somewhat enlarged andformed into finger-grips 18. The opening and plate spring will besimilar to that used on the pocket form of match-box. One or moresupports 19 are provided for holding this form of match-box on a counteror table.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is Amatch-box comprising surrounding walls having a lid thereon, each of theside walls being provided at their lower edges next the bottom of thebox with oppositely-arranged longitudinal slots, a slide mounted on thebottom of the box and having on opposite sides extensions which projectthrough said slots whereby to move the slide, said slide being alsoprovided with an upwardly projection,

the front wall of the box having a recess therein, and said Wall havingits lower end extending near the bottom of the box to form therewith anopening, a flat spring mounted in the recess and extending partiallyover said opening and adapted to have a movement to and from the same,substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

RANSOM PARKHOUSE.

l/Vitnesses:

ROBERT LANDERS, RUTH. V. LANDERS.

